West metro briefs

Former city manager is honoredJohn Gunyou, the former Minnetonka city manager, was recently awarded the 2012 Leadership Award by the League of Minnesota Cities, considered the highest honor for appointed city officials in the state.

The award, given each year to honor outstanding service, was presented to Gunyou on June 21 at the League's annual conference.

He had worked as a finance officer for the city of Minneapolis and state Finance Commissioner before serving for 12 years as Minnetonka's city manager. He retired this month and is running for Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners.

Home-alone training provided for kidsRegistration is now open for a class for Richfield 9- to 12-year-olds that will teach them how to be safe at home while unattended before or after school or while parents run errands.

During the Home Alone Safety Session, kids will make their own first-aid kits and learn basic first-aid techniques. They will learn about personal, home and Internet safety, phone skills, fire safety, escape plans, what to do in severe weather, and snack ideas. A pizza lunch will be provided.

The Aug. 28 class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $16. It will be taught in Room 103 of Richfield Central School, 7145 Harriet Av. S. Space is limited to 18 kids. To register, go to www.richfieldrecreation.com.

Bike safety at the farmers marketLow-cost bike helmets will be fitted and available for purchase Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Maple Grove Farmers Market at the city's community center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road.

Also Thursday, a class on "lasagna gardening," a no-dig gardening technique, will be taught by a master gardener at 4 p.m. Music and a 4:30 p.m. story time for kids will also be featured. For more information, go to maplegrovefarmersmarket.com or facebook.com/maplegrovefarmersmarket.

Sculptures installed on the PromenadeEleven new sculptures have been installed on the Edina Promenade, at Grandview Square Park and at 50th and France for the city's fourth annual Sculpture Exhibition.

People are encouraged to vote for their favorite using ballot boxes at all three locations, and must sign their name and vote only once. Voting ends Sept. 30.

People's Choice Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place winners, who will be invited to display their sculptures for another year. For more information on the artwork or the Edina Public Art Committee, go to EdinaPublicArt.org.

Four cities win environmental honorsThe League of Minnesota Cities has recognized four west-metro cities for participation in GreenStep Cities, a voluntary program designed to help Minnesota cities achieve environmental sustainability goals.

Richfield and St. Louis Park have passed resolutions to become GreenStep cities. Eden Prairie and Edina were recognized for implementing portions of the program.

New mini dog parks will open on SundayPlymouth is opening two new mini dog parks Sunday due to the demand from owners looking for additional parks for their pets.

The hockey rinks at Plymouth and Oakwood fields will be temporarily transformed in the summer and fall into the enclosed dog parks. The parks are located at 10011 36th Av. N. and 1700 County Road 101.

Both parks will have space for owners to leash and unleash their dogs. User guidelines, doggie bags, garbage cans and benches will be provided.

City opens 'edible playground'Eden Prairie is opening an "edible playground" in an effort to fight childhood obesity by promoting healthy foods.